Giving birth to children with disabilities is test from God

An educationist noted that giving birth to children with disabilities is a test from God to measure society and parents’ love for children and nature.

Mr Elvis Mawunyo Adabla of the Special Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service, in Ho, on Thursday encouraged parents to show great love to their disabled children and help them to become responsible citizens.

She was speaking at a children’s durbar, organised by the Department of Children to mark this year’s National Children’s Day, in Ho on the theme: “The rights of children with disabilities -The role of the community.”

He said children were gifts from God, and society should not maltreat or discriminate against those with physical challenges.

Mr Adabla asked health workers to show compassion and love for children with disabilities, and cautioned that it was illegal to turn them away from health facilities.

Madam Mariama Yayah, National Director of the Department of Children, said if Ghana was to achieve the Millennium Development Goal on poverty eradication, it must seek the welfare of people living with disabilities.

She called individuals, organisations and district assemblies to help make life comfortable for people living with disabilities.

Mr Peter Hlovor, Assistant Director at the Department of Social Welfare in charge of Child’s Rights, said it was unfortunate that some parents supported children with no special needs and hid and neglected those with disabilities.

He commended government for initiating interventions in the education and health sectors to promote the wellbeing of children.

Mr Edwin Gamadeku, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Children, warned children to desist from taunting their disabled colleagues.

He advised teachers to give special attention to children with disabilities. GNA